Extension key chain



May 23, 1939. N. N. OKUN EXTENSION KEY CHAIN Filed Dec. l2, 1938 INVEVTOR.

BY m

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 23, 1939 -EXTENsIoN KEY CHAIN Nathaniel N. Okun, Bronx, N. Y., assignor to Swank Products,` Inc., a corporation of Dela- Waffe Application'December 12, 1938, Serial No. 245,089

4 Claims. (Qi. 243) This invention relates to a key chain and has for one of its objects to provide a key chain, the effective length of which may be extended.

Another object of the invention is to provide t a key chain which will enable proper length to be had whether it be worn by a tall person or a short person.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key chain having two or more sections which will E@ extend one along the other and will permit a relative adjustment to change the elective length of the key chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key chain having means for providing a simple manner for adjusting the length such as by pulling with a suitable force upon one length of the key chain and suitably holding another part thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a 2i) loop in the key chain to take up the length thereof and an adjustment of that loop for varying the eiective length of the chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit which will be Xed to one section of a key chain while it is slidable along another section cf the key chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such a unit an arrangement whereby the sliding action may occur without scratching or abrading the chain.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features oi' construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

rIn the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a key chain with the key holder and garment attaching means assembled therewith;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a greatly enlarged 4c scale of the unit whereby the adjustment of the chain may be accomplished;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the jaws in full and the parts in position to receive the cover plate;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device complete;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the outer casing;

Fig. 6A is a sectional view of the inner framelike member within the casing; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the jaws which frictionally grip the chain.

-In the use of key chains it frequently occurs that the chain is either too long or too short, depending upon'whether a tall or short person uses 55 the same; also, it is often desirable to have a longer or shorter chain, depending upon different objects which are to be unlocked with the keys 'upon the key holder which is attached to the chain. For instance, some persons may care to have a chain sufciently long to enable keys to be attached by the chain and still extend to the dash of an automobile for the ignition thereof and after such use to again shorten the chain; and in order that this may be provided, l. have formed two sections ofchain which extend one along the other and which may be relatively adjusted by reason of a. friction member on the end of one which is permanently attached to the other whereby an eective adjustment of the length of the chain may be provided; andthe following is a more detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention, illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

With reference to the drawing: l0 designates a length of chain which has a key holder Il with a key l2 thereon attached to one end thereof. To the opposite effective length of the chain there is provided a clip i3, or attaching' member,

to hook over the belt or upper edge of the trousers 25 of the person wearing the same. The chain ID passes through the ring lll on the clip I3 for attachment thereto. In this particular instance, the chain lll passes through the ring lll and forms two sections l5 and it which extend one 30 along the other.

These sections are attached together by means of a unit ll. One end of the section I5 is secured to the unit ll as at i8, while the unit Il is slidable along the section it to various positions so as to adjust the length of the overlying sections l5 and i6 which extend one along the other and thereby adjust the eective length of the chain, or the distance between the clip I3 and the key holder ll, may be shortened by sliding the unit ll along the chain section i6 toward the key holder, while the distance between the key holder and the attachment i3 is lengthened or extended by sliding the unit ll in the other 'direction or toward the attachment clip i3 and permitting the chain to slide through the loop i4 asv the effective lengthof chain between the attachment i3 and the key holder l l is changed.

The unit which is designated generally I1 consists of some frictionV jaw device which I term a friction applying glide or easy grip glide for applying a slip grip or slip friction on one section of the chain but yet permitting it to slide through the unit when sufficient pull ls exerted on the key holder to overcome such grip or the unit itself may be slid along this section of the chain by manually gripping" it and moving it outwardly from the trousers clip i3. The particular'unit here illustrated consisting of a shell-like casing 2d consisting of a bottom wall 2i and peripheral side walls 22 with anv inner `trahie-like member 23 conforming to the peripheral shape of the walls 22 and telescoping within them,` This irame23 is slotted as at 26%,' whilethe casing is provided with an opening 25 through which the end 2t' of the chainA iii may pass. The slot in the frame member is of a dimension to receive one of the links edgewise but Would-prevent the next link to it from passing through the slot whereby to lock the chain in the unit. Within this casing and frame 23 is located a pair of jaws or glides 2t and it, jaw or glide 26 being of a shape on its outer periphery 28 to lconform to and fit snugly against the frame 23, while the jaw 2i has an outer periphery 29 to generally conform to the frame on the other side. An opening 3U is provided in the jaw 2l for the reception of coiled spring 3i which acts between the bottom of the bore 30 and the frame 23 to force the jaw which engages the portion of the chain i 6 which may pass through the unit by rea'- son of the openings 32 and 33 inthe walls 22 of the casing and similar openings 32' and 33 in the frame 23. A plate 3d extends across the frame 23 on one side and a similar plate 35 on the other side of the jaws forms a complete housing of the jaws, while a cover plate 36 may rest upon this inner plate 38 and a lip 31 may be rolled over the cover plate to hold the same in assembled position.

By reason of this arrangement which may have one or two units, such as il, at one or both ends of sections' i5 and i8, the chain may be adjusted for varying lengthsoi the effective distance between the hook. or garment attaching part i3 and the holder it..

While i have referred specifically to a key chain, this term may include any flexible mem- Iber or cord for attachment or coupling of two parts together.

The foregoing description is directed solely toward the construction illustrated, but `I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being delined and limited only by the terms of the apof the ilexible member being secured to said unit at a point spaced from the grip of the glides to permit a suiiicient force tending to move the unit along the member to overcome the applied friction of the unit to cause a change ofthe size of the loop, thereby causing change of the edective length of the iiexible member.

2. A device of the type described comprising an article holding element, an element for attachment to a part of wearing apparel, a flexible member having one end secured to one oi said elements with another portion slidable through a part 'carried by the other of. said elements and then extending back on itself to provide a loop. a unit containing within it friction applying glides between which the iiexible member extends to be slidable therealong, the other end of the iiexible member being secured to said unit at a point spaced from the grip of the glides to permit a pull Vof a sufficient amount on the member tending to move the elements apart to overcome the friction applied by the unit to cause change oi the size of the loop, thereby causing change of the effective length of the ilexible connection between said elements.

3. A device of the type described comprising an article holding element, an element for attachment to a part of wearing apparel to anchor the same thereon, a flexible member having one end secured to one of said elements with another portion slidable through a part carried by the other of said elements and then extending back on itself to provide a loop, a unit secured to the other,

end of the memberl and having a body with an opening through it through `which opening the other portion of the loop of the member extends,

flexible connection between said elements.

4. A device of the type described comprising an article holding element, an element for attachment to a part of wearing apparel, a iiexible member having one end secured to one oi said elements with another portion slidable through aA part carried by the other of said elements and then extending back on itself to provide a loop; a f

unit secured to the other end of the member and having a 'body with an opening. through it through which opening the other portion of the loop of the member extends, the point of securing the said other end of the chain to the unit and the direction of the opening through the unit being so arranged that the through portion kof the flexible member is but 4slightly out of alignment with the portions of the flexible member outside of the unit which it joins, means in the unit for frictionally gripping the through portion of saidnmember with suiiicient pressure to maintain its position in normal use but permit manual sliding for changing the effective length of the ilexible connection between said elements.

NATHANIEL N. OKUN.- 

